How to Spot a Lie

A Cornell University study reveals there are seven magic words that help reveal a lie.

 According to this video summary of the research, most people lie when speaking via telephone vs. communicating through email.

Also, according to the study, 14% of people will lie in email, 21% in a text message, 27% face-to-face, and 37% over the phone.

Because people are less likely to lie “on paper”, Richard Wiseman suggests the best thing to do is to say these 7 words, “Can you just email me about that?”

That doesn’t always translate in real estate negotiations since over 80% of communication is non-verbal so it certainly helps to have both.  If you’re looking for a Realtor who is not afraid to tell you the truth (to your face or in an email), contact Edwin Lui today!

MOVING CHECKLIST 15 Frequently Forgotten Things

1. High quality garbage bags for packing and trash.

2. Packing tape dispenser and durable packing tape.

3. More storage boxes than you think you’ll need.

4. Plain newspaper and plastic grocery bags for breakables.

5. Permanent marker for labeling every box and wrapped item. Label EVERYTHING.

6. Dish soap and a sponge (or dishwasher detergent) to rewash any dishes that got dusty or dirty during the move.

7. Doormat to cut down on dirt being tracked in.

8. Rags and a bucket for immediate cleaning of your furniture, cabinets, floors, and surfaces.

9. Bottled water and a cooler with ice for you and your movers. Trail mix is a great snack to have on hand too!

10. Bathroom supplies for one bathroom: toilet paper, hand towels, and soap.

11. A bag or suitcase of toiletries and everyday highly used items. (Toothbrush, hairbrush, contact solution)

12. Small supply of plastic utensils, paper plates, and napkins.

13. Pet owners: a few meals’ worth of pet food in separate plastic baggies.

14. A shower curtain liner.

15. Light bulbs or a floor lamp if your new home doesn’t have ceiling fixtures.

 

Thank you Hometalk for this great checklist!

 

2014 Cost vs. Value: 5 Mid-Range Remodeling Projects That Offer the Biggest Returns

Just replacing that front door may offer some of the biggest bang for a remodelers’ buck, according to the 2014 Cost vs. Value Report. It’s one of the least expensive remodeling jobs and offers the potential of a 96.6 percent return on investment at resale – the highest of 35 remodeling projects recently analyzed. Front door replacement has topped the Cost vs. Value report since the first survey in 2009.

Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, each year takes a look at some of the most popular remodeling projects and gauges how well the projects retain their value at resale.

For mid-range projects, here are projects that retain their value by the highest rates, according to national averages:

1. Entry door replacement (steel)

Estimated job cost: $1,162

Estimated resale value: $1,122

Cost recouped: 96.6%

2. Deck addition (wood)

Estimated job cost: $9,539

Estimated resale value: $8,334

Cost recouped: 87.4%

3. Attic bedroom

Estimated job cost: $49,438

Estimated resale value: $41,656

Cost recouped: 84.3%

4. Garage door replacement

Estimated job cost: $1,534

Estimated resale value: $1,283

Cost recouped: 83.7%

5. Minor kitchen remodel

Estimated job cost: $18,856

Estimated resale value: $15,585

Cost recouped: 82.7%

By: Melissa Tracy on March 24, 2014

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/category/remodeling-adviser/

3 Reasons Buyers, Sellers Need a Realtor

BMO Harris Bank recently conducted a survey finding that about 47% of home owners said they could sell a home without the help of a real estate agent, and 59% said they likely could purchase a home on their own. Not surprisingly, 75% of respondents also said they ended up using a real estate professional when it came down to it. Here’s why:

http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2014/07/15/3-reasons-buyers-sellers-need-you?om_rid=AACLKS&om_mid=_BTxWUcB87PzUZ2&om_ntype=RMODaily

How Buyers Can Annoy Sellers

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Bankrate.com recently highlighted several ways that home buyers have been annoying some sellers recently, including:

  • Disrespectful house visitors: Some buyers may not be respectful when touring a home, letting their child run wild or bounce on the furniture, cranking up the heat and air conditioning, or even using the restroom. Lisa Ramsey, a real estate professional with the The Ramsey Group, says it’s up to the real estate agents to lay down some house rules when the seller isn’t there. “I tell buyers, ‘Let’s just pretend we’re walking into the White House.” She’ll also talk to her buyers “about the trend of sellers putting [microphones and] cameras in the home. … I go into every house assuming there’s a recording device in the house. We’re not going to talk money or strategy in the house.”
  • Submitting a long list of defects: Ron Phipps, principal with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I., and a former president of the National Association of REALTORS®, says that buyers are doing themselves a disservice when submitting an offer with a long list of what’s wrong with the house. It makes sellers question why the buyers would want this place. Instead, Phipps recommends a gentler approach: Submit a list of comparables with the offer as well as a personal letter where buyers introduce themselves and explain why they want the house. In the letter, they can mention two or three of the major issues with the house while keeping it neutral and referencing third-party, empirical sources.
  • Too many visits: After buyers have committed to purchase a home, they want to make lots of visits to their future home, bringing the decorators, architects as well and entire family with them, says Mike Lubin, associate broker for Brown Harris Stevens in New York. The sellers may find the constant visits disruptive, however, as they’re busy packing and possibly doing repairs to meet a deadline. Lubin says a possible compromise could be to have the buyer arrange a visit while the inspector is present as well as another visit during the final walkthrough before closing.
  • Renegotiation: Buyers may agree on the price but then repeatedly demand concessions and discounts. The home inspection can be a culprit. For example, buyers may realize the furnace has about five good years left and then make a demand for a new furnace or monetary equivalent. “A realistic buyer knows everything’s not going to be perfect,” says Matt Laricy, managing partner with Americorp Real Estate in Chicago. But signed contracts don’t often stop a buyer from trying to renegotiate, Laricy adds. Buyers may say the market has changed or that they’ve overpaid or they may even suffer from buyer’s remorse, he says. “It’s extremely awkward,” Lubin says. “It’s violating the terms of the contract, and it’s insulting.”

Source: “8 Ways that Homebuyers Annoy Sellers,” Bankrate.com (April 2014)

Does Your Home Have What it Takes to Sell

According to the Wall Street Journal, the following is a list of common buzzwords that are selling homes like hot cakes over the past two years:

  1. Marble bath
  2. Oversized windows
  3. Ceiling windows
  4. Floor-to-ceiling windows
  5. Wine cellars
  6. Marble floors
  7. Gyms
  8. Private elevators
  9. Tennis courts

If you’ve got any of these in your house and are feeling lucky, give me a call and let’s target market the house to someone really looking for a marble bath.

Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/11/07/9-buzzwords-helping-sell-homes?om_rid=AACLKS&om_mid=_BSfBDqB82T3d6d&om_ntype=RMODaily

Texas-Sized Housing Boom

The Texas A&M Real Estate Center reports a huge increase in home values and bidding wars in Houston and Dallas.  Over 15% median price increases in Dallas and 14% in Houston represent the highest year over year increases in over a decade.  Although it doesn’t mention anything about Austin, we’ve had our own share of bidding wars and multiple offers for the better half of 2013 and still going on in many pocket neighborhoods.

A hot real estate market can be a difficult ocean for both sellers and buyers alike to navigate so if you need an experienced and savvy real estate agent to sell or purchase a home in a hot market, give me a call.

Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/10/10/everything-including-housing-boom-bigger-in-texas?om_rid=AACLKS&om_mid=_BSVxHPB81u25$z&om_ntype=RMODaily

VA and FHA Loans – Additional Selling Tools for Homeowners

Homeowners who purchased their homes with a VA or FHA loan can use their low interest rates as an extra incentive to buyers.  By assuming the current loan terms, buyers can take advantage of low interest rates and, in most cases, lower closing costs.  Another advantage is that the loan is further down the amortization schedule, which means more of their payments go toward principal.

Sellers can now offer a great home with a low interest rate that other homes cannot compete with.  Just remember that with VA loans, your VA eligibility is tied to the home as long as the loan exists.

If you are a homeowner in a similar situation, contact me for details.

Source: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/09/20/sellers-can-use-their-fha-va-loans-marketing-tool?om_rid=AACLKS&om_mid=_BSPKI6B81T4DuK&om_ntype=RMODaily

113 Silverstone – For Those Who Enjoy the Finer Things in Life

Custom home built by your imagination.

Imagine a home that has everything you ever wanted – the right floor plan, the right ceiling height, the right floor options, the right kitchen upgrades, the right curb appeal, the right colors, the right size. Everything is exactly the way you want it, where you want it, and how you want it. What do you call a home you move into and never want to move out of because the grass is greener on your side of the fence? Some refer to this as a dream home. Among real estate agents, we call this a custom home. 113 Silverstone is one such home.

How many upgrades do you see here? You'd be right if you said over 15.

113 Silverstone is a custom-built dream home located in the fantastic neighborhood of Westlake of the Woods in Georgetown, Texas. Its 3,600+ square feet leave plenty of space in each of the 5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 living spaces, 2 dining areas, kitchen, and study. The single story floor plan feels like your favorite vacation retreat. The master suite is hidden in the rear of the home with a picturesque 8-ft wide x 6-ft high view of the gorgeous back yard. Beautiful, warm wood floors guide you to the master bathroom with a walk-in shower with dual shower heads, jetted tub, his and hers vanities and walk-in closets. Three secondary bedrooms share a large living space perfect for a game room, study area, or media/entertainment center. Guest accommodations include a 5th bedroom and full bathroom on the eastern wing of the home with a fully upgraded kitchen (stainless steel appliances, double oven, granite counters, tumbled travertine tiles, cherry wood cabinets, rock grotto, prep sink, etc.) serving as the central glue to the home.

Centralized flex room has lots of storage with two closets and built-in shelf.

Does a gourmet kitchen make food taste better?

Outdoor living space is well-accounted for with a large covered patio lined with tumbled travertine beneath and wood ceilings above. Relax next to the aurally soothing waterfall or allow the radiant heat from the bonfire-worthy fire pit surrounded by stone seating caress your face. Raised garden beds, 42″ rock wall, and additional outdoor entertaining area complete this spa-meets-nature environment. Masseuse not included.

A 3rd dining area in a peaceful outdoor setting.

Fire lovers and safety chiefs unite.

With an asking price of $565,000 ($155/sf), this is one of the best values in the neighborhood. Its direct competitors are either inventory (or “spec”) homes, or priced over $165/sf. Why? Most sellers are trying to capitalize on the buying frenzy and low inventory. The reasonable owners of 113 Silverstone have taken brilliant care of the home, feel it’s time to move on and believe this could be an amazing opportunity for the next owners to enjoy a wonderful home full of exquisite, luxury touches.

Pictures, video, and more information:

113 Silverstone – Floor Plan
113 Silverstone – Upgrades
113 Silverstone – Sellers Disclosure
113 Silverstone – On Site Septic

 

Silver Increase in Sendero Springs

Two more homes for sale sprang up in the Sendero Springs neighborhood in Round Rock.  Unfortunately neither of these reaches the Gold standard, but they aren’t too bad and the $/sf is very low so these can still be seen as great deals!

4421 Angelico Lane – Silver

How often do you see a 6 BR, 4 BA home come on the market for $70/sf?  This 4,700 sf home is huge and is listed at $330,000.  The master and 4 bedrooms are located on the top floor along with a 5th bedroom downstairs, separate office, and formal dining room.  The kitchen has granite counters, breakfast area is big, the backyard isn’t huge but it’s nice, and it’s located in a cul-de-sac with only one neighbor to its side and a greenbelt behind.  So why isn’t it Gold?  It’s really close to being gold, but as I previewed the home, I counted about 12 beds and three refrigerators throughout the home!  It’s in overall solid condition, but it also means the home is taking as much wear and tear as three homes combined!

3008 Asombra Lane – Silver

This 5 BR, 3 BA home has the exact same floor plan as the home three doors down from it (3002 Asombra), which has been withdrawn from the market.  This one is offered at slightly lower price of $259,900 ($74/sf), which makes it a better value.  It’s also in better condition with granite counters, and custom floor tiles and back splash.  Carpet in the entire house will be replaced and most of the walls will have a fresh coat of paint on it.  But I still can’t get past the guest bedroom and bathroom in the middle of the home.  It creates an uneven flow to the home.  I’m sure someone out there will like it, but it’s a turn off for the majority of buyers.  It’s a good $/sf, but there are smaller homes out there for less money and a more efficient and pleasant floor plan.

Gold Index:

There are now two Gold homes in Sendero Springs for sale.  3203 Lazada is one of the most expensive homes on the market at $399,900, but has tons of extras and is a very nice home with good value ($88/sf).  4307 Pasada lowered their price to $198,000 ($77/sf) and should be snatched up quickly.  There aren’t many Gold homes for sale in Sendero Springs and to find one under $200,000 makes this a great purchase.

If you’ve got a home in Sendero Springs that you want to sell, get in touch with me to make it a Gold home.  If you are in the market for real estate in Round Rock or Sendero Springs and you need a Realtor, give me a call or email and I’ll gladly help you.

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